Washington, D.C. Today, New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), authors of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, paid tribute to the late James Zadroga, an NYPD Detective, a hero 9/11 rescuer, and the namesake of the recently-passed legislation to address the health crisis caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Detective Zadroga passed away after a long battle with 9/11-related illnesses on January 5, 2006.

In 2003, Det. Zadroga submitted testimony to the 9/11 Commission describing his experiences in the 9/11 rescue and recovery effort, and the terrible toll his heroism ultimately took on his health. Please click here for a copy of Det. Zadrogas testimony.

Today is the fifth anniversary of Detective James Zadrogas passing. In life, James Zadroga was an American hero, and in death, he provided the moral force that finally moved Washington to address the 9/11 health crisis. It is our hope that the law that bears Detective Zadrogas name will prevent any more heroes and heroines from sharing his fate. I and my colleagues in the New York delegation are grateful beyond words to the Zadroga family his father, Joe, his mother, Linda, and his daughter, Tylerann- for lending Jamess name to our bill and for their years of work to see the legislation signed into law, said Rep. Maloney.

Todays anniversary of Detective Zadrogas death is a moment for somber reflection and remembrance, said Rep. Nadler. We mourn his passing, five years ago today, and we remember the terrible devastation of 9/11 and the illness and death that followed for so many. For the first time since his death, however, we can also take some comfort from the signing into law of the bill that bore his name and which will finally provide justice to the thousands of responders and survivors who are still sick and fighting for better health.

The Zadroga Act provides health care for those exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. The bill also reopens the federal Victim Compensation Fund to provide economic relief to those harmed by the attacks.

The House passed the bill in September with a strong bipartisan majority. On December 22nd, the Senate passed by voice vote an amended version of the bill that reduces the bills cost to $4.3 billion over five years. The House approved the Senates changes shortly afterward by a vote of 206-60. President Obama signed the bill into law on January 2, 2011.

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